Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-10-27
A PATHETIC STORY.
Graphically Told by CONNER
cial Drummer"

How seldom we ever hear Com
mercial Drummer" relate any anecdote
or incident that borders on the pa
thetic. The boys generally like to get
together in the smoking-car or in the
steamer cabin or in the slow going
stage coach. while en- route and vie
with each other in telling tales more
questionable than delectable. The one
who refers to some cute trade in which
n rustic merchant is made to purchase
more goods than he needs, or of some
blooming country girl who was
greatly impressed with our salesman's
winning ways, or some sale he has
made for rival house, is regarded
with great respect by the other boys.
Then again there are men among these
"knights of the road who will grace
any profession. calling or trade. Men
whose manners, although seemingly
crude, brusqae or rough in the ex-
IRENE while engaged in trade, are just
the reverse in the home circle. At
home they are indulgent fathers. kind
hearted husbands and liberal providers
in things substantial and things that
bring happiness to the house. Ere
quently we meet men of this last class
who are foremost in trade, Jealous for
the interests of their firm, whose large
yearly sales will attest the vigOr, the
energy. the intelligence with which
they pursue the restless dollar. One of
these gentlemen was recently my COM
panion on tedious journey by stage
through q desolate portion of Western
Montana. The country surrounding
us was devoid of vegetation of any
description. A forest fire had left few
blackened. charred pine tree trunk,
standing like grim sentinels over this
region of solitude. Birds and insects,
although it was midsummer. had given
the locality n wide berth. Once in
awhile as we assembled a grade we
could hear the laborious breathing of
the four horses that hauled the lum-
bering vehicle. Even the driver seemed
TO be affected by our melancholy sur
roundings.
During long silence my companion
seemed to be lost in a reverie. He was
perhaps fifty years old. His eyes were
mild in expression and blue in color
His forehead, high and expansive, was
crowned with Il heavy growth of iron
gray hair. He was of average stature
and build. Add to this neat-fitting
suit of navy blue and You have his
description, except a heavy iron-gray
mustache that gave him a slightly mil
itary appearance. He was just such a
man whom one would want to go to
when in trouble or doubt.
ssYaS g, ', no ,,,nSaI =.
tude here in this desert, but then there
are times, even in the midst of pop
ulous city, that one can feel deeper
desolation, a more lasting solitude and
loneliness than can be experienced
here in this wilderness. In fact, the
best part of my life has been one of
solitude and yet had every thing that
money could buy-friends, business.
plenty of occupation-but, alas! no
home, yet / lived in comfortable
house, well kept and with efficient
help"
was growing interested and asked
him if he would tell me all about it if
it would be agreeable. gg
~ sYes." he continued. not seeming to
have noticed my slight interruption,
lit will be two hours yet before we ar
rive at Gallatin, and as we are the only
passengers. I will relate it to you, if
you are interested"
~ am, very much so," replied.
+'but if it makes you feel unhappy to
dwell upon the account of it. perhaps
we had better change the subject"
Thank you," said he, ''but as the
subject of NV story is now pleasantly